Cleary: Attitash resort of firsts in Mount Washington Valley

Attitash, located in Bartlett, New Hampshire, has a history of firsts for mountains in the Mount Washington Valley. Opening in 1965 with 41 skiable acres accessed by one chairlift and two t-bars, Attitash hosted the world’s first freestyle ski competition in 1966. The next firsts happened in 1982, when Attitash became the first mountain in the Mt. Washington Valley to install snowmaking, and again in 1997, first to open a slope side hotel, the Attitash Grand Summit Resort Hotel and Conference Center.Attitash was one of the resorts affected when the American Skiing Company sold all its New England properties last year. Peak Resorts added to its New England holdings by purchasing Attitash and Mount Snow in Vermont. Peak already owned Crotched Mountain in New Hampshire and in total owns and operates 11 ski areas and two golf courses in six states.As with other resorts that share the same ownership, season pass holders at the higher levels can use their pass between all the mountains that Peak owns on the East Coast. This season Attitash’s Nor’Easter pass allowed access at Mount Snow, Crotched Mountain and Jack Frost/Big Boulder in Pennsylvania. Attitash plans on March 15 to be one of the first resorts in New England to announce 2008/2009 season pass programs.”We are having such a great season. There has been so much snow and conditions are great. We wanted to get a jump on next season and may offer some exciting benefits good for the rest of this season,” said Attitash communications manager Krissy Fraser during a recent interview.As it did at Mount Snow, Peak set about making capital improvements right away at Attitash to the tune of $3.5 million spent so far this season, according to Fraser. The bulk of the money was spent on a snowmaking enhancement project using the same fan gun, energy efficient equipment that it installed at Mount Snow and the purchase of a new specialized groomer, primarily used in terrain parks. The rest of the money was spent on base lodge upgrades.Attitash is currently gearing up for March Mania, with every weekend featuring a different event.March 1 features ATP Skiercross/Ridercross.March 8 honors the pride of our nation’s defenders in this Military Salute weekend. National Guard and reserve soldiers, and retired military personnel as well as any US military veteran, can receive a free lift ticket when they present a valid military ID at the ticket window. Guests can receive $10 off the price of their lift ticket when they bring any three items (from a qualifying list) that will be sent to the soldiers currently stationed in Iraq and Afghanistan.March 15 features the Fourth Annual Spread Eagle World Championship and Retro Weekend. This event is a throwback to the roots of freestyle skiing with competitors catching big air off two different-size jumps, executing the old school tricks, like Daffys, Spread Eagle, and Backscratcher. Motor Booty Affair, the highly acclaimed ’70s cover band, performs après ski, and there is a contest for best retro outfit.March 22 features the Fifth Annual Attitash Open On-Snow Golf Tournament.Gather a foursome together and break out your best driver and costumes with a scramble down a nine-hole course built entirely out of snow.March 29 features Mullet Mogul Jam Rock Weekend.For more information about Attitash, visit www.attitash.com.